Johannesburg - Frans Steyn will return to South Africa after the conclusion of the French Top 14 in order to rest ahead of the Tri-Nations and RWC, according to South African Rugby Union (SARU) manager of national teams, Andy Marinos. According to the keo.co.za website, Marinos travelled to France to discuss Steyn’s return ahead of the Springboks’ all-important Rugby World Cup preparations, and was pleased to report that the mercurial fullback will be available. "We went over to have a chat with Pierre Berbizier and Simon Mannix (Racing Metro's head and assistant coaches) about Frans and his game at the moment," Marinos told Independent Newspapers. Steyn, who is wildly expected to don the Boks' No 15 jersey at the World Cup, has reportedly played a whopping 2 000 minutes (equivalent of 25, 80-minute matches) for Racing this season, and as a result, SARU will insist he gets four weeks rest after his commitments with his French club are completed. "We can’t ignore the fact that Frans is a mercurial player and a unique talent," said Marinos. The Boks open this year's Tri-Nations against Australia on July 23.

So what happens to the likes of Aplon and Kirchner now?
What about Riaan Viljoen ... these guys will start thinking whether its still worth it. Young Lambie as well ..

Josh K wrote: So what happens to the likes of Aplon and Kirchner now?
What about Riaan Viljoen ... these guys will start thinking whether its still worth it. Young Lambie as well ..

Can't see how you can leave Aplon out of the squad!

Aplon will play wing at the world cup.  Lambie and steyn will be fullback with both covering flyhalf and centre. Habanna, basson and mvovo to fight for the other wing position.
Morne Steyn and Butch James to play flyhalf (I really hope Lambie gets a run)

Du Preez, Hougaard and Pienaar covering scrumhalf, with Hougaard also a wing, and Pienaar a fullback and Flyhalf.

Porky wrote:

Josh K wrote: So what happens to the likes of Aplon and Kirchner now?
What about Riaan Viljoen ... these guys will start thinking whether its still worth it. Young Lambie as well ..

Can't see how you can leave Aplon out of the squad!

I can see it coming already, the Bok's with the two Steyn's at flyhalf and fullback is going to kick the hell out of the ball. Together with the testosterene driven Bulls forwards(since PDV is there biggest fan), it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out what the game plan is going to be. Oh well I hope it is going to be enough to pull us through. 

Am I the only one that has noticed the fact of players returning from European sojourns haven't exactly set the world on fire.........why is that? Tired from looong European season? Level of rugger not quite at the S Hemisphere standard? Local players are clearly evolving into modern day rugby players a lot faster than their N Hemisphere counterparts and taking to the law changes like ducks to water?

Even players in the club scene that return from Europe seem a little off the pace.......

Exactly. The media is raving about Schalk Brits playing well in Premiership with Sarries. He won't be shining that well playing Super Rugby for sure. He should rather stay there and play, as Sarries are doing well and he is at least certain of playing almost every week. There are too many good no. 2's here in any case.

jakes actually wrote: Am I the only one that has noticed the fact of players returning from European sojourns haven't exactly set the world on fire.........why is that? Tired from looong European season? Level of rugger not quite at the S Hemisphere standard? Local players are clearly evolving into modern day rugby players a lot faster than their N Hemisphere counterparts and taking to the law changes like ducks to water?

Even players in the club scene that return from Europe seem a little off the pace.......

I would agree with you Eagles on Brits, The bokke have smit, Bissie, Chilli, Strauss .. all playing fairly good rugby so I dont he'd make the Bok team anyways ...

I think choosing the Bok squad will be a case of who to leave out. There are so many good players in every position, its all a case of combinations and how they gel together. As far as the style of rugby is concerned - during World Cup you play winning rugby and you focus on your strengths - it's not the time to be fancy.

I'm a huge Aplon fan and I really hope they play him at wing. I rate him the same as I used to rate Breyton - they both punch above their weight. I like Frans Steyn at fullback because we need a fullback that has the strength to stay on his feet long enough for help to arrive in defensive positions and also have a big boot to get us away from our goal line. 

Agreed in a way. There are 2 postions where there is not good enough depth numbers at 10 and 15
. We don't know if Frans Steyn will be considered and if so where? Kirchner very average and predictable. Gio is the man in my view.

Apart from Steyn, no one else that is shouting to deputise at 10.

Jean wrote: I think choosing the Bok squad will be a case of who to leave out. There are so many good players in every position, its all a case of combinations and how they gel together. As far as the style of rugby is concerned - during World Cup you play winning rugby and you focus on your strengths - it's not the time to be fancy.